Maria Kanellis
Statistics
Ring name(s)	Maria
Height	5 ft 7 in (170 cm)
Weight	125 lbs (57 kg)
Born	May 2, 1981
	Ottawa, Illinois
Died
Resides	Miami, Florida
Billed from	Chicago, Illinois
Trained by	Ohio Valley Wrestling Dave "Fit" Finlay
Debut	November 2004
Retired

Maria Kanellis (born May 2, 1981 in Ottawa, Illinois)is working for World Wrestling Entertainment's RAW brand as a "Rookie Diva", after competing in the first ever $250,000 RAW Diva Search. She is currently the youngest Diva on the Raw Roster. Maria, also a veteran of Hawaiian Tropic, is of Greek origin. For the WWE she goes by only Maria.

Career

Outback Jack

Maria was a contestant on the reality TV show "Outback Jack" which aired on TBS. It showed her wanting to find love. Although she was one of the final three contestants Jack did not pick her and sent her home. At the end she started saying that she did things she would have never done and that she was glad she had come this far.

World Wrestling Entertainment

2004 Raw Diva Search

Maria had been a multiple-time beauty pageant winner before competing in the 2004 $250,000 RAW Diva Search. Despite not winning the Diva Search, she was hired anyway as she had impressed the fans.

Backstage Interviewer

She was brought on to RAW as a backstage interviewer. She was given a "dumb blonde" gimmick (despite being a brunette), playing on a mistake she made during one of her first interviews when she referred to wrestler Edge as "The Edge". This dumb blonde gimmick has seen her in many comic skits, most notably during interviews involving WWE Champion John Cena but also including Chris Jericho, World Tag Team Champion Big Show and Mick Foley. She has quickly earned a reputation as the oblivious RAW backstage reporter. Maria seems to ask the wrong questions, irritating and amusing WWE Superstars and Divas alike. Despite being in the WWE for such a short time, Maria has had numerous memorable moments, including interviewing Eugene and William Regal after they won the World Tag Team Championship from La Resistance, for it was this situation that led to an overwhelmed Eugene dousing Maria in chocolate milk as part of a post-match celebration.

Maria's In-ring Debut

On the January 10, 2005 edition of Raw, Kanellis competed in her very first official match. She faced off against Christy Hemme in a Lingerie Pillow Fight in which she lost after being hit by a pillow by Lilian Garcia and then tripped by Christy Hemme followed by being pinned with a bridge. On the October 31, 2005 edition of RAW, Kanellis competed in a Halloween Costume Contest, dressing as an angel. She received a good pop for her contributions to the contest, but it ended as a no-contest when Victoria and Mickie James got into a fight. Maria helped the other divas get Victoria and Candice Michelle out of the ring. Kanellis competed in a Fulfill Your Fantasy Diva Battle Royal at Taboo Tuesday 2005 for the Women's Championship but did not last long, as she was the first to be eliminated. On November 14, 2005 Kanellis competed in a non-title Diva Battle Royal against Divas from both SmackDown! and RAW during the Eddie Guerrero tribute RAW show. Kanellis stood in the corner for most of the match, only getting involved when she saw the opportunity to eliminate a competitor, a strategy the proved rewarding as she eliminated both Jillian Hall and Victoria. After these eliminations Maria got cocky and decided to attack both Melina, and Women's Champion Trish Stratus. This backfired as they eliminated Maria together. On the November 28th, 2005 edition of RAW, Maria only wanted then-RAW General Manager Eric Bischoff's thoughts on whether or not he thought he was going to be fired. However, Kanellis was booked into a match with WWE Superstar Kurt Angle. Maria was laid out with the Angle Slam and almost received the Ankle Lock, but John Cena came down for the save. On the December 5th, 2005 edition of RAW, Maria testified in the trial against Eric Bischoff as General Manager. She first asked Mick Foley to question her with Mr. Socko, before answering, unusually intelligently: "Last week Bischoff abused his power and it’s this rash discourse that has led to a locker room of disdain and it should be grounds for his immediate dismissal." On a December 2005 WWE holiday special called Tribute to the Troops, the RAW Superstars visited Afghanistan to perform for them. Here, in accordance with her gimmick, she was seen almost walking into a room that was clearly stated to be full of dangerous and active mines. Also, even though Maria is currently still a face, she and heel diva, Candice Michelle defeated Ashley Massaro and Trish Stratus in a Diva Tag Team Match.

Feud with Vince's Devils(Torrie Wilson, Victoria & Candice Michelle)

On the January 2nd, 2006 edition of Raw, Maria was placed in a match with Victoria. After Victoria missed a splash in the corner, Maria rolled her up for the upset victory! Afterwards, she was attacked by the Ladies in Pink but saved by Ashley, who fought them off, until finally falling to them. During the commercial break, Vince McMahon announced a Gauntlet Bra & Panties match between all five girls that had previously been in the ring for New Year's Revolution. On New Year's Revolution Maria was the first to enter the Gauntlet match and eliminated Candice Michelle and Torrie Wilson eventually being eliminated by Victoria. The match was won by Ashley Massaro.

Feud with Lita

On the February 6th edition of RAW, Maria teamed with John Cena (who earlier kissed her to calm her down from getting nervous) to take on Edge and Lita in the main event. Maria would end up getting beat down by Lita, but ended up scoring the victory after a spear meant for Cena hit Lita. On the February 20th edition of RAW, Maria competed in a #1 Contender's Match for the Women's title. Maria eleminated Victoria with Ashley, but was eliminated by Mickie James. On the March 6th episode of RAW, Maria lost a singles match to Lita. After the match, Edge was preparing to spear Maria, but Mick Foley hit the ring to make the save.

WWE Diva Maria outside Ford Field before WrestleMania 23.

Ohio Valley Wrestling

During her time in WWE Maria has made appearances in its training territory, Ohio Valley Wrestling. While in OVW Maria has gotten involved in several feuds, most notably with Sosay. A match between the pair ended as a no-contest when numerous Superstars interfered. Maria has also been involved with Melina, who she brawled with after some rude comments. Maria has also been involved with both Shelly Martinez, and Beth Phoenix who she attacked after Aaron Stevens powerbombed Mickie James. On December 10, 2005 at an OVW House Show from Corydon, Indiana Maria got in a catfight with Fugee Cakes after Maria broke a pin, in a match that featured Chet the Jet and Brent Albright vs. The Highlanders. In the final OVW taping for 2005, Maria appeared during the Ken Doane vs. CM Punk match, countering Sosay's appearance. When Sosay got involved, Maria ripped off her clothes.

Finishing and signature moves

• Over-the-shoulder arm drag
  
• Snapmare
  
• Schoolgirl tripup
  
• Hurricanrana (uses at house shows)
  
• Flipping Neckbreaker (uses at house shows)
  
• Side Headlock Takedown
  
• Bronco Buster
  

Personal life

She is dating CM Punk in real life(confirmed to be true by Maria in an interview with The Sun). This began as a rumour when photos of the two emerged on the internet of them kissing and hugging.

Job titles

• WWE RAW backstage interviewer
  
• WWE Unlimited's "Kiss Cam" host
  

Links